It was a collaborative effort when staff from Fair Oaks Ranch Community School arranged a surprise family reunion for the school’s principal and her son, who was away in Afghanistan for one year.

Marie Stump, a long-time Valencia resident, expected to welcome home Mark Stump on Saturday afternoon. However, she received the surprise of the holiday season when she walked into her office Friday and found him awaiting her.

The reunion was an emotional one, and tears flooded many of the onlookers’ eyes as Marie and her son embraced.